HEALTH TIP

Toe symptoms include pain, numbness, weakness, stiffness, swelling, or problems moving the toes. The symptoms may be constant or variable and may improve or worsen with movement. If toe pain is present, it may be described as sharp, dull, stabbing, burning or throbbing and may range in intensity from mild to severe.


Toe symptoms can result from damage or injury to any of the structures in the toes, including bones, joints, tendons, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, connective tissue, skin, or toenails. Arthritis and other types of degenerative joint disease are among the most common causes of toe symptoms. In some cases, toe symptoms may be related to a chronic underlying disease that affects other regions of the body. Simple problems, such as poorly fitting shoes, can also lead to temporary, acute toe symptoms.

 Diseases or conditions that affect the nerves and muscles, such as peripheral neuropathy (a disorder that causes dysfunction of nerves that lie outside your brain and spinal cord), can be associated with symptoms that involve both the legs and toes. Disorders of the spine, such as infection, fracture, tumor, or disc disease, often produce symptoms in the legs and toes. Infections of the nails, bone, or skin and underlying tissue are further causes of toe symptoms
The duration and course of toe symptoms vary widely, depending on the cause. Symptoms caused by injury often have a sudden onset, whereas toe symptoms resulting from diseases and disorder, such as arthritis or peripheral neuropathy, develop slowly and persist or worsen over time.

The sudden onset of weakness or numbness in the toes, especially if it occurs on only one side of the body, can be a sign of stroke. Also, in rare cases, infections of the bone or skin and soft tissues of the toe can spread throughout the body, resulting in shock and organ failure. Seek immediate medical care